Sunday, May 22, 2011

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP), and Bioversity International in partnership with regional and international partners are jointly organizing the second global knowledge share fair from 26-29 September 2011 at IFAD headquarters.

Objective

The second global share fair will be a compelling, exciting and “out-of-the-box” event, offering participants creative and innovative learning and sharing opportunities, thus equipping them to better influence future rural development activities.

Building on the success of the first global knowledge share fair, this three-day event provides a forum for participants to learn and share their knowledge, experience and innovations on emerging trends relating to agriculture, food security, price volatility, climate change, changing demographics and other rural development related issues.

The event will feature talks by renowned practitioners in different fields along the lines of TedTalks.

A vibrant market place will act as the nerve centre of the fair. It will provide participants the opportunity to browse through a “rainbow” of knowledge, experience, ideas and innovations on offer.

The interactive sessions will use a number of knowledge sharing methods such as TedTalks, world café, chat shows, peer assist, fish bowls, open space.

And a suite of knowledge sharing methods/tools and web2.0 tools training will be on offer on day zero.

Day zero: 26 September

Share Fair: 27-29 September

In interacting with practitioners, peers and partners, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and explore:

·new trends and thinking on coping with market access challenges and developing markets for small farmers

·innovative use of mobile technology and/or social media in the agriculture sector to enhance food security and nutrition

·the impact of migration and population growth to feed future population

·opportunities for innovative partnerships including with private sector, farmer organizations

·environmental-friendly and green innovations

Who is this for?

The share fair is open to everyone: be that you are interested in agricultural development, be it that you have a great innovation you wish to share, or you just want to learn about knowledge sharing methods and tools . We invite the leadership and staff of the Rome-based agencies, the country staff of our programmes and projects and our partners such as farmer organizations, bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, research organizations, civil society and private sector to join the event.